Travel back in time with our roundup of some of the oldest and most historical hotels in all 50 states.
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The Most Historical Hotel in Every State
For lovers of history, visiting historical sights can be a great way to satisfy your craving for a history lesson, but why not take it a step further and stay in a historical landmark? Staying in these historical hotels will make you feel like you’re a part of history—and not just an observer.
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Alabama
The Battle House Hotel
The Battle House Hotel was built on the military headquarters Andrew Jackson set up during the War of 1812 in what is now downtown Mobile. The hotel originally opened in 1852, only to burn down in 1905. The rebuilt hotel, which still stands today, opened in 1908.
via historicanchoragehotel.com
Alaska
Historic Anchorage Hotel
The Historic Anchorage Hotel, open since 1916, is now said to be haunted by some of Anchorage’s historical figures, including the city’s first Chief of Police Jack Sturgus, whose mysterious death occurred near the hotel in 1921. Check out the 10 best-value hotels in America.
via preferredhotels.com
Arizona
The Wigwam
The Wigwam hotel in Litchfield Park was originally built by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company as lodging for local ranch suppliers during Arizona’s venture into cotton farming. At the time, Goodyear used cotton in its tires. The adobe-and-timber resort sits on 440 acres of land and first opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1929.
via capitalhotel.com
Arkansas
Capital Hotel
Dubbed Little Rock’s “front porch,” Capital Hotel first opened its doors in 1870. If you have a thing for elevators, be sure to check out the elevator in this hotel. It was built to be big enough to accommodate President Ulysses S. Grant—and his horse.
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California
Hotel Del Coronado
Nicknamed “The Del,” this San Diego staple opened on Coronado Island in 1888. The 28-acre resort was one of the largest buildings in the United States to have electric lights when it opened! Be sure to check out our list of the best free tourist attraction in every state.
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Colorado
The Strater
Established in 1887, The Strater in Durango is a four-story property that will bring you back to the Old West. Don’t miss its Diamond Belle Saloon that hosts nightly music, including ragtime piano players. Check out the best state fair in every state.
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Connecticut
Curtis House Restaurant & Inn
New England is known for its historical charm, and Curtis House Restaurant & Inn in Woodbury is a prime example. The hotel, which is located in the state’s antique capital, dates back to 1736 and oozes vintage vibes.
via tripadvisor.com
Delaware
The Inn at Montchanin Village
Established in 1799, the Inn at Montchanin Village is located in the picturesque Brandywine Valley. And while it’s referred to as an “inn,” it’s really a 19th-century hamlet which once housed a blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, bank, and more. Now, it serves as a 28-guest room escape. Here are some other small towns like Brandywine Valley all over the United States worth a visit.
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Florida
The Southernmost House
Duvall Street is one of Key West’s most historical sites, and it just so happens to house Southernmost House. The beach hotel opened its doors in 1896 and has hosted famous names including Louis Armstrong, Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote, and John F. Kennedy. Its other claim to fame is being the southernmost hotel in the continental United States. If you like unique hotels, you’ll want to check out this list of the most unusual places to stay the night.
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Georgia
River Street Inn
It makes sense that one of the most historical hotels in America happens to be in the historic district of Savannah, where you’ll find gorgeous antebellum architecture on every street corner. The River Street Inn was built in 1817 and it is no exception. The exterior of the stunning brick building will stop you in your tracks.
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Hawaii
Moana Surfrider
A stately resort located on Waikiki Beach, Moana Surfrider dates back to 1901. Referred to as the “First Lady of Waikiki,” the hotel features a sweet mix of timeless Victorian elegance and modern Hawaiian charm.
via tripadvisor.com
Idaho
Sun Valley Lodge
Established in 1936, Sun Valley Lodge sits in the winter wonderland ski resort of Sun Valley, where a backdrop of stunning Dollar and Bald Mountains makes for a magical stay. In the summer, visitors can horseback ride, fly fish, hike, and more. Don’t miss these stunning photos of our National Parks in full bloom.
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Illinois
Palmer House
Chicago’s Palmer House is perhaps the most extravagant wedding gift in history. It was built by wealthy business magnate Potter Palmer for his young bride, Bertha Honore Palmer for their 1871 nuptials. The original hotel, unfortunately, burned down 13 days later in the Great Chicago Fire. But Palmer rebuilt the hotel and reopened it in 1873. Since then, the landmark hotel has hosted U.S. presidents and celebrities, including Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. Find out the top trending summer travel destinations in the United States.
via frenchlick.com
Indiana
French Lick Springs Hotel
Since opening in 1845, the French Lick Springs Hotel has long been loved for its proximity to the therapeutic water of Pluto Mineral Springs. Neighboring the Hoosier National Forest, today the resort offers three golf courses, a spa, and a casino.
via hotelblackhawk.com
Iowa
Hotel Blackhawk
Established in 1915, the Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport features a beautiful blend of Italian Renaissance and Art Deco design. The boutique hotel is ideally situated in the heart of downtown Davenport with stunning views of the Mississippi. Check out more hotels with stunning views.
via midlandrailroadhotel.com
Kansas
Midland Railroad Hotel
Since opening in 1899, Midland Railroad Hotel in Wilson has seen it all, including having its third floor turned into a chicken coop during the Great Depression so guests could dine on poultry. In its heyday, it was a popular stop for businessmen en route from Kansas City to Denver on the Union Pacific Railroad. A restoration in 1997 kept all the old school charm of the three-story hotel.
via brownhotel.com
Kentucky
The Brown Hotel
Louisville’s The Brown Hotel, which was built in 1923, has long been the place to see and be seen during the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby, held at nearby Churchill Downs. The Georgian-Revival hotel’s entrance is right out of a fairytale with a hand-painted coffered ceiling. Do you know what’s the coolest secret location in Kentucky? Here’s a full list.
via therooseveltneworleans.com
Louisiana
The Roosevelt New Orleans
Located near New Orleans’ famous and historical French Quarter, The Roosevelt New Orleans has served as a landmark in the area since it opened in 1893 as the Hotel Grunewald. For a time, it was the city’s only major hotel, after its competitor, The St. Charles Hotel, was damaged by a fire in 1894. If you’re in town in December, be sure not to miss its magnificent Christmas display, a tradition that dates back to the 1920s. Don’t miss these other historic hotels that get decked out for the holidays.
via colonymaine.com
Maine
The Colony Hotel
Dating back to 1914, the 300-foot-wide Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport has been a landmark for more than 100 years. It offers that quaint, rocky coastline vibe Maine is known for and lobster dinners galore.
via admiralfell.com
Maryland
Admiral Fell Inn
Looking at it today, you would never guess that the central building of Baltimore’s Admiral Fell Inn once served as a boarding house for sailors, with rooms so small it was nicknamed “The Doghouse.” It was turned into the charming 80-room inn it is today in the 1990s, though you can still learn about its sordid past on one of the free ghost tours the inn offers. Find out the best vacation for you based on your personality type.
via omnihotels.com
Massachusetts
Omni Parker House
Massachusetts’ capital is known for its many historic sites, so it’s no surprise the city of Boston has a range of historic hotels, including the Omni Parker House. While the original was built in 1855, the current hotel replaced it in 1927, resurrected on the exact same plot of land. It holds the title of “Longest Continuously Operating Hotel in the United States.”
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Michigan
Grand Hotel
You’ll feel like you stepped back in time when you visit the Grand Hotel, established in 1887, on Mackinac Island. Horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are the norm on the grounds of the hotel and the island as a whole, which has a ban on “horseless carriages.” The hotel is home to the world’s longest front porch, coming in at a whopping 660 feet, with breathtaking views of Lake Huron. Don’t miss these 9 other small towns that will have you feeling like you’re in Europe.
via tripadvisor.com
Minnesota
The Saint James Hotel
The Saint James Hotel opened its doors on Thanksgiving Day 1875 and prides itself on having been family-owned ever since. Located in Red Wing on the banks of the Mississippi River, it has hosted everyone from past presidents to Mark Twain to Bob Byland.
via whitehousebiloxi.com
Mississippi
The White House Hotel
This Gulf Coast beachfront hotel in Biloxi was once home to Walter and Cora White, who turned their home into a boarding house that grew in square footage as it grew in popularity. Now known as the White House Hotel, it was recently restored after years of neglect and is now as grand and historically charming as it was in its heyday. Biloxi is not an easy town to pronounce—but is it the hardest town name to pronounce in Mississippi? Find out the hardest-to-pronounce towns in every state.
via hilton.com
Missouri
Hotel President
Established in 1926, Kansas City’s Hotel President was, appropriately, the headquarters for the Republican National Convention in 1928. The Power and Light District hotel is also home to the Drum Room, a refurbished lounge where big-name musicians including Frank Sinatra and Benny Goodman once performed.
via tripadvisor.com
Montana
Grand Union
The Grand Union in Ft. Benton is so old, it was built in 1882, seven years prior to Montana even becoming a state. History buffs will appreciate the commanding views of the Missouri River, where Lewis and Clarks’ Corps of Discovery once traveled.
via visitnebraska.com
Nebraska
Historic Argo Hotel
Dating back to 1912, Argo Hotel was built to serve the railroad traffic of the time. Now, the historic hotel, located in the heart of Crofton near the Lewis and Clark Lake and Recreation Area on the Missouri River, serves as a bed and breakfast as well as a lounge and steakhouse. The hotel is also said to host paranormal activity, most notably a ghost named Alice that lives in the basement. If you like spooky stories, check out this list of the most haunted hotels in America.
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Nevada
Mizpah Hotel
Established in 1907, Mizpah Hotel sits in Nevada’s breathtaking high desert. At the time of its opening, the hotel had five stories and was the tallest building in Nevada.
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New Hampshire
Wentworth by the Sea
Wentworth by the Sea has overlooked the Atlantic Ocean from the island of New Castle since its opening in 1874. The hotel features 161 stately guest rooms and suites, and, while it has been restored and rebranded as the Wentworth by the Sea Marriott Hotel & Spa, it still retains its historic charm, including the three original Victorian towers.
via caperesorts.com
New Jersey
Congress Hall Hotel
Dating back to 1816, the Congress Hall Hotel holds the honor of the oldest seaside resort in the country. It has been a favorite of many presidents, including Benjamin Harrison, who made the resort his “Summer White House.” Today, the hotel offers 108 guestrooms.
via plazahotellvnm.com
New Mexico
Plaza Hotel & Restaurant
Yes, there’s another, lesser-known Las Vegas, and it’s in New Mexico. The city’s Plaza Hotel, dubbed “The Belle of the Southwest,” opened in 1882 and is just as historic as the city itself, where more than 900 buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel served as the meeting place for Teddy Roosevelt’s first reunion for the Rough Riders in 1900. The Plaza was also a favorite silent film location for director/actor Romaine Fielding and famous cowboy actor Tom Mix back in the early 1900s.
via beekmandelamaterinn.com
New York
Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn
Established in 1766, Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn in Rhinebeck is home to George Washington’s most frequented watering holes, the Bogardus Tavern, which remains intact to this day. The inn was also where Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton had the fight that led to their infamous duel. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt campaigned for governor and president here, and the inn more recently hosted guests of the wedding of former first daughter Chelsea Clinton.
via tripadvisor.com
North Carolina
Mast Farm Inn
Though it dates back to 1792, the Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis, nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, didn’t begin welcoming guests until around 1900. The inn was originally the home of Joseph Mast, who walked from Pennsylvania to North Carolina to begin a new life in a new home. In fact, his original cabin is still intact on the property.
via tripadvisor.com
North Dakota
Carroll House Hotel
Opened in 1889, the Carroll House Hotel in Fullerton hosted the town’s church and town meetings, as well as concerts and galas. Today, there are seven guest rooms, which can be booked individually or all together if you want to rent the entire house for a family vacation or event.
via goldenlamb.com
Ohio
Golden Lamb Restaurant and Hotel
Lebanon’s Golden Lamb Restaurant and Hotel opened in 1803 serving as a “house of public entertainment.” It’s another presidential hot spot, with 12 U.S. presidents having the pleasure of staying at the hotel. The Golden Lamb holds the record as Ohio’s longest family-run business—since 1926. While you’re traveling, don’t make these mistakes that make your vacation unnecessarily stressful.
via colcordhotel.com
Oklahoma
Colcord Hotel
Established in 1910, Colcord Hotel is a 12-story building that was the first skyscraper in Oklahoma City. Despite contemporary renovations, the hotel still oozes plenty of historic charm, including the original marble adorning the columns and walls of the main lobby, the original nickel and bronze letterbox and elevator doors, and the original ornamental plaster ceiling.
via wolfcreekinn.com
Oregon
Wolf Creek Inn
When Wolf Creek Inn opened in 1883, guests paid a measly 75 cents for a room, bath, and meals! Set on three acres of picturesque grounds, the inn features a charming ballroom and old-timey tavern that serves rustic Oregon cuisine with a countryside flair. The inn is only open during the warmer months, so double-check that it’s open before you make your trek.
via hotelgettysburg.com
Pennsylvania
The Gettysburg Hotel
Established in 1797, The Gettysburg Hotel is within walking distance from the historic Gettysburg battlefield; its Civil War Discovery package is popular with guests. It served as a temporary command center for President Eisenhower during his recovery from a heart attack in 1955.
via oceanhouseri.com
Rhode Island
Ocean House
Perched atop Bluff Avenue, where it first welcomed guests in 1868, Ocean House overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The original building fell into disrepair and was torn down in 2003. The new building, which opened in 2010, recreates the original exterior and houses more than 5,000 artifacts and furnishings that were salvaged from the original. If you like your hotel with beach access, be sure to check out some of the best all-inclusive vacations around the world.
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South Carolina
John Rutledge House Inn
This National Historic Landmark, John Rutledge House Inn, in Charleston was built in 1763 and is the only home of a signer of the Constitution of the United States that guests are allowed to spend the night in. Rutledge originally built the home for his bride, and the storied building survived a direct hit from a Union cannon during the Civil War.
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South Dakota
Bullock Hotel
Built by Deadwood Sheriff Seth Bullock around 1895, the historic Bullock Hotel still features its original layout. In fact, it’s said that the sheriff still proudly haunts the hotel. Today, you’ll find a mixture of 19th-century history and 21st-century amenities.
Michael M. Garland, III/Shutterstock
Tennessee
The Peabody Hotel
The Peabody Hotel opened on the corner of Main and Monroe as a business hub for Memphis in 1869. By 1925, a newer version was built at its present location at Union and 2nd Streets. A unique tradition began in 1933 when ducks were placed in the hotel’s lobby fountain. The tradition continues to this day, with the March of the Peabody Ducks.
via hauntedmagnoliahotel.com
Texas
Haunted Magnolia Hotel
The Magnolia Hotel in Seguin, which was built in 1840, is considered the most haunted hotel in Texas, with the hotel owners claiming they’ve counted at least 13 paranormal spirits on the site. Not surprisingly, ghost hunters flock to the historic hotel. Do you like scary stories? Check out these true ghost stories from the most haunted places in the world.
via tripadvisor.com
Utah
Moore’s Old Pine Inn
Moore’s Old Pine Inn in Marysvale opened its doors in 1882 under the name Pines Hotel. The hotel was renovated in 1995 by its current owners, and much of its original charm remains, including the tall trees on the front lawn. The inn remains a go-to for those looking to get back to nature, with activities including ATV rides, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and more. If you like to vacation in nature and luxury, make sure you don’t miss this list of luxury camping adventures.
via middleburyinn.com
Vermont
Middlebury Inn
Established in 1827, this inn got its start as the Vermont Hotel. Today, it remains a fixture in the quaint New England town of Middlebury and has many of its original details throughout, including the massive front desk in the lobby. Don’t miss dinner at its Morgan’s Tavern, which serves delicious farm-to-table cuisine.
via omnihotels.com
Virginia
The Homestead
Called “America’s First Resort,” The Homestead was founded in 1766, which means it’s even older than America herself. Guests, including President Thomas Jefferson, have traveled to the historic property for centuries to take a dip in the rejuvenating hot springs. Unfortunately, the hot springs are currently closed until further notice. There’s still plenty to do on-site and nearby, including taking in a movie at the turn-of-the-century theater, horseback riding, fly-fishing, and more.
via shelburnehotelwa.com
Washington
Shelburne Hotel
The longest continuously operating hotel in Washington State, the Shelburne Hotel in Seaview was built in 1896 as a retreat for visitors from Portland, Oregon. The hotel is a classic Victorian building that boasts beautiful Old World charm with restored woodwork and antique furniture throughout. The Shelburne has remained a center of the Long Beach Peninsula community and continues to host artists, intellectuals, and a unique array of travelers from near and far.
via greenbrier.com
West Virginia
The Greenbrier
The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs has been a popular destination for leisure travelers looking to “take the waters” in the springs the town is named for. Since opening its doors in 1778, the hotel has been at the center of American history: 27 out of the 45 presidents have visited; during World War II, it housed German, Japanese and Italian diplomats before being converted into a hospital for soldiers; and in the 1950s, the U.S. government secretly built an Emergency Relocation Center, a 112,000-square-foot underground fallout shelter, intended for use by the entire U.S. Congress in the event of nuclear war. Don’t miss these practically secret national parks you’ll want to visit ASAP.
via historichotelsoflakegeneva.com
Wisconsin
Historic Hotels Lake Geneva
Baker House and Maxwell Mansion comprise The Historic Hotels of Lake Geneva in, you guessed it, Lake Geneva and date back to 1855 and 1856, respectively. This is the place to go if you really want to travel back in time, with each inn preserved meticulously and decorated with the charm of its origins.
via naglewarrenmansion.com
Wyoming
Nagle Warren Mansion Bed and Breakfast
The adorable Nagle Warren Mansion Bed and Breakfast was built in 1888 by businessman Erasmus Nagle, and it’s located in Cheyenne’s historic district. It was restored in 1997 by innkeeper Jim Osterfoss, and now boasts 12 guest rooms, ornate wooden staircases, authentic period wallpaper, antique furniture, and century-style artwork.
